Biography

Maegan June Collins is a Taiwanese Canadian ceramic artist and teacher based in Toronto, ON. She received her BLA from the University of Guelph in 2021 and studied ceramics at the Kootenay School of Art in 2022. Maegan is an emerging artist and has exhibited her work in various settings.

Statement

My work celebrates the ephemeral nature of clay, capturing the delicate balance between permanence and impermanence. I explore how the material’s once fluid, pliable state transforms into something fixed, with gestural marks left behind as a reminder of its malleable origin. At its core, my practice is driven by an interest in this moment of transition—when softness becomes stillness, preserving a moment in time. 

In my latest series of ceramic quilted vessels, I explore the boundaries of slip casting, a process traditionally devoid of mark-making and undercuts. By creating plaster molds from fabric objects, I capture the fine details of the fabric, transforming its soft, pliable nature into a permanent, sculptural form. These vessels feature a patterned surface that are reminiscent of traditional ceramic tiles and hand-stitching techniques such as Sashiko. This distinctive surface texture, with subtle undercuts and plush impressions, invites an unexpected tactile response. The resulting objects are indicative of the material’s initial softness and of the handcraft embedded in its creation.

Through both functional vessels and sculptural pieces, my work challenges the perception of clay as a rigid material. I create objects that feel alive with movement, yet are grounded in their stillness. In this ongoing exploration of materiality I seek to preserve the fluidity of clay, with each piece recording a moment in time, celebrating the beauty of transience.

CV


Education

2022

Certificate in Ceramics, Kootenay School of the Art, Nelson, BC

2021

Bachelors in Landscape Architecture, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

Certificate in Environmental Citizenship, The University of Guelph, Guelph ON


Exhibitions

2024

FUSION 50th Anniversary Clay and Glass Show Group Exhibition - Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON

Annual Cup Show: Form and Function, Group Exhibition - Amelia Centre Gallery, Panama City, FL

IMPACT Annual Juried Group Exhibition Group Exhibition - Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto, ON

2023

Artist Feature Window Display Solo Exhibition - Clay Design, Toronto, ON

2022

Student Year End Show Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC

Student Gallery Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC

Student Mug Show Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC


Experience

2022-Present

Wheel Throwing Instructor, Dexterity Lab, Toronto, ON


Memberships and Affiliations

2024

Gardiner Museum Shop Member

Craft Ontario Juried Shop Member

FUSION Clay and Glass Member

The 519 Community Member


Grants and Awards

2022

Advanced Throwing Workshop Scholarship Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC

Robert & Audrey Denison Memorial Award Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC


Retail Locations

Gardiner Museum Shop, 111 Queens Park, Toronto, ON

Craft Ontario Shop & Gallery, 1106 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

Clay Design Shop, 170 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, O